Song of the Day: Broken Social Scene – World Sick

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “World Sick” by Broken Social Scene from their 2010 release, Forgiveness Rock Record, available on Arts & Crafts Records.

Broken Social Scene’s debut album, Feel Good Lost, was an atmospheric 2-piece featuring Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew, and although they put out some interesting tracks it was only until they swelled into an 11-piece manifesto of Toronto’s indie rock community and became the Canadian Juno-Award winning supergroup including Metric’s Emily Haines, and Do Make Say Think’s Charles Spearin. And while they may not have the name recognition as the Traveling Wilburys or even Monsters of Folk, Broken Social Scene have the staying power needed to be more than just another supergroup. With as many as 23 musicians in the collective’s roster, and such a liquid mentality, they wont be held back.

Only a taste of the new album courtesy of Broken Social Scene’s website including the tracks, “Forced to Love,” “All to All,” and today’s song, “World Sick,” is enough to stir up some buzz and excitement for the mega-group’s first album in five years. After stepping away from the group mentality, BSS’s Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning having both released solo albums under Arts and Crafts and with the Broken Social Scene flag still flying high, they have reconvened as Broken Social Scene to create Forvgiveness Rock Record, released May 4th on Arts and Crafts. The follow up to these solo endeavors, the Broken Social Scene is back together as a whole. The whole lot of them.

The released tracks demonstrate how far the creative reach extends, but no matter how unique the sound must be — impossible not to be with so many cooks in the kitchen — seem to be held together with a common rhythm. The thread that strings through, binding the different pieces together.

The debut track, “World Sick,” fades in grandly and builds up like a proper intro should. Sassy guitars lead into anthemic laments, and all the while the pulsing drums and clicking sticks keep the beat throughout the song. “World Sick” implies more a sense of homesickness for normalcy.

If you weren’t there to see them at SXSW, catch them at a few random cities left on their tour posted on their website or MySpace page. If not, here’s a great video of the indie rock Canadians performing “World Sick” live at SXSW: